Principal E Flat Doubling Clarinet & Principal Bass Doubling Clarinet, BBCSO

Principal E Flat Doubling Clarinet & Principal Bass Doubling Clarinet, BBCSO

Job Closing Date: 30 November 2025

JOB DETAILS

Job Ref: 32916

Contract: Continuing (permanent), 2 Positions available - you will be able to indicate which role(s) you wish to be considered for on Musicalchairs.

Location: City Halls, Glasgow

We offer:

• Excellent career progression - the BBC offers great opportunities for employees to seek new challenges and work in different areas of the organisation.
• Unrivalled training and development opportunities - our in-house Academy hosts a wide range of internal and external courses and certification.
• Benefits - We offer a competitive salary package, a flexible 35 hour working week for work life balance and 26 days (1 of which is a corporation day) with the option to buy an extra 5 days, a defined pension scheme and discounted dental, health care, gym and much more.

PLEASE NOTE:

In order to apply for this position, Candidates will need to register on Musicalchairs and apply via the 'Apply via musicalchairs' button to complete a short information form. Candidates will then follow the below application and audition process: The deadline to complete the form on Musicalchairs is SUNDAY 30TH NOVEMBER 2025

INTRODUCTION

We have an exciting opportunity for a Principal E Flat Doubling Clarinet and a Principal Bass Doubling Clarinet to join the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

As Scotland's national broadcasting orchestra, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra has been performing for audiences across Scotland, the UK and internationally since 1935. From Oban to Aldeburgh and London to Seoul (as part of BBC Proms Korea), the 2024/25 Season has been no exception. The orchestra's live performances are regularly broadcast on BBC Radio 3, Radio Scotland and Sounds, as well as BBC Television and iPlayer.

Opening eyes and ears with ambitious repertoire beyond any benchmark, the BBC SSO is Scotland's leading champion of new music. Across nine decades, it has commissioned orchestral music by the most original voices of its time and hosts its annual Tectonics Festival of new and experimental music each spring alongside its Creative Partner Ilan Volkov.

With Associate Artist Lucy Drever the orchestra runs projects that inspire creativity and connection with families, schools and communities across Scotland. And through a close association with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, the orchestra mentors the next generation of conductors, composers and instrumentalists. The orchestra supports young musical talent in BBC Radio Scotland's Young Classical Musician competition.

Ryan Wigglesworth began his tenure as Chief Conductor in September 2022. One of the foremost composer-conductors of his generation, he has directed a wide range of repertoire with the BBC SSO including the ballets of Stravinsky, major works of Elgar, and UK premieres by György Kurtág and Composer-in-Association Hans Abrahamsen. Regularly performing at the BBC Proms and Edinburgh International Festival, the orchestra is a recipient of a Royal Philharmonic Society Award and four Gramophone Awards.

Delyana Lazarova has been appointed Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC SSO from September 2025, the beginning of the orchestra's 90th anniversary concert season.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE

YOUR KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND IMPACT:

To sit as Principal Clarinet no 3 specialising in bass playing. Stepping up as required or

To sit as Principal Clarinet no 2 specialising in E playing. Stepping up as required

• Maintain the high standard of professional playing and musical and artistic excellence required by the Orchestra.
• Familiarise oneself with the relevant parts, including solos, in advance of the first rehearsal and performances.
• Support professionally any Leaders and Conductors engaged by the Orchestra.
• Takeresponsibility for the style, intonation, balance, ensemble, rhythm and preparation of the section in conjunction with Leaders and the Chief Conductor.
• Foster an environment in which artistic excellence flourishes.
• Develop and support positive working relationships with all other members of the Orchestra, the section and any freelance players engaged by the Orchestra.
• Participate in audition panels (to include writing audition reports), trial assessment meetings, orchestral and artistic meetings as required with due regard for confidentiality.
• Engage in the general activities of the Orchestra, such as attendance at meetings, promotional activity, outreach and learning work , and to act as an ambassador for the BBC/Orchestra during these activities.
• Bea role model for BBC Values and to work in accordance with the BBC/MU Agreement, the Information for Orchestral Players Handbook and all other BBC policies and guidelines.
• Support all the BBC's policies on managing people and diversity, including participation in Personal Development Reviews and training.
• Work in accordance with the BBC's Health and Safety guidelines and policy.

YOUR SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Outstanding professional orchestral and solo clarinet playing abilities.
• You will have knowledge of the repertoire of the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
• The ability to both lead and work collaboratively to inspire and contribute to performances that meet the highest musical standards by providing artistic direction and by motivating members of the section.
• You will have effective people and performance management skills, including the ability to give constructive feedback, deal with sensitive issues and to make difficult decisions.
• Good interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and develop harmonious working relationships with a diverse range of people is essential.
• We require you to demonstrate commitment to maintain the reputation of the Orchestra.
• We expect you to participate actively as part of a diverse team and supportive of colleagues and respecting others by being fully prepared and ready to play at the start of every session.
• The ability to plan ahead in order to prepare parts, organise allocations and to make the best use of the resources available.
• You should also have an awareness of health and safety issues.

AUDITIONS DETAILS

1st Round Auditions:

We ask that you submit a video for the 1st round (please see the Musicalchairs site for more details).

2nd Round Auditions:

Will be held at BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra City Halls Stage Door 87 - 101 Albion Street Glasgow, G1 1NQ in early 2026.

APPLICATIONS MUST BE VIA THE MUSICALCHAIRS WEBSITE - PLEASE CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK FOR FULL DETAILS ON HOW TO APPLY AND AUDITIONS INSTRUCTIONS:

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: SUNDAY 30TH NOVEMBER 2025

DISCLAIMER

This job description is a written statement of the essential characteristics of the job, with its principal accountabilities, incorporating a note of the skills, knowledge and experience required for a satisfactory level of performance. This is not intended to be a complete, detailed account of all aspects of the duties involved.

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